Russian Army Become Athletes, Ukraine Chooses To Resign From World Judo Championships In Qatar

Judoka Ukraine Daria Bilodid (AFP via ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Ukraine has withdrawn from the World Judo Championships in Qatar due to the presence of Russian athletes who they think are active soldiers. The International Judo Federation (IJF) has allowed judoka-judoka from Russia and Belarus to compete at the World Judo Championships in Doha, Qatar, on condition that it does so as neutral athletes.

But the Ukrainian judo federation said in a statement that most of the members of the Russian team were athletes on active duty in the Russian armed forces, the AFP said.

The athletes are considered to be part of a group of soldiers who attacked Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

The Ukrainian judo Federation added that Russian soldiers were still fighting on a brutal scale in their region, shooting at cities in Ukraine and civilians every day, as well as killing civilians and children.

"On the other hand, more than 250 Ukrainian athletes give their lives to defend the country. Some of them are judo athletes," he added.

The Ukrainian judo Federation considers that there are no neutrality, equal conditions, and a bridge of peace as stated in the IJF Resolution on the presence of athletes from Russia and Belarus at the World Judo Championships.

They considered it a contradiction to the latest recommendations by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on March 28 which stated that the status of neutral athletes could only be given to athletes who were not members of the military.

Last month, IOC President Thomas Bach said Russian and Belarusian athletes were prohibited from participating in international competitions. The ban also includes athletes who support war, as well as athletes who are contracted by the Russian and Belarusian military or national security companies of the two countries.

Russian and Belarusian athletes have faced sanctions in various sports since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.

When the Russian attack entered its second year, the IOC recommended allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international events with the status of neutral athletes. However, the IOC has yet to make a decision regarding the participation of Russian athletes in the Paris Olympics next year.